He's an unusual combination of incredibly intelligent (among a handful in the world), but also incredibly boastful and supercilious. Unlike in basketball, where

He's an unusual combination of incredibly intelligent (among a handful in the world), but also incredibly boastful and supercilious. Unlike in basketball, where the biggest trash talkers are often the top players, among intellectuals, the biggest boasters are usually complete phonies. Wolfram is the exception -- he is indisputably the "real deal" while also sparing no opportunity to rub everyone's face in it. His work is brilliant and insightful -- just treat it as work on its own merits and try not to think too much about the sanctimonious tone behind it.